DANCE DREAMS MADE POSSIBLE: ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

When Luka Sanchez stepped off the plane from Mexico over a year ago in February, the biting Utah cold shocked him almost as much as the realization that he was about to dance with the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy. Dressed in summer clothes and shivering, he couldn’t have imagined that one year later, he would be thriving as a Trainee at one of America’s premier ballet academies, made possible because of an endowment scholarship.

“It means almost everything,” Sanchez says about his endowment scholarship. “I’m far from my culture and away from all that I know, so there is a lot of anxiety that fills my thinking. Now, I’m able to not worry about money and I can just focus on what I came here to do, doing what I love, rehearsing in the studio and performing.”

For Kent and Martha DiFiore, longtime Ballet West supporters who fund Sanchez’s scholarship, the impact of their gift brings joy that extends beyond the stage. As Martha explains, “We like to be able to take some anxiety away from both the teachers and the dancer, who may not be sure how long they can stay or know what the future holds in terms of financial support. It also gives us great pleasure to see young people succeed.”

The DiFiores have been season ticket subscribers for decades and have sponsored several dancers, including Demi-Soloist Dominic Ballard from Australia. Their commitment to Ballet West extends beyond financial support, creating meaningful relationships with dancers and helping them navigate life beyond dance.

Academy Director Evelyn Cisneros-Legate emphasizes that endowment scholarships are awarded based on merit to students who demonstrate extraordinary talent, professional behavior, and dedication to their craft.

For Sanchez, the scholarship represents belief in his potential and the art form itself. “The reason I am still here is because of this scholarship,” he says. “I’m able to keep going because people believe in the art and want to see it keep growing.”